The Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) has called on parents and guardians to step in and help address the growing feeding challenges faced by senior high schools across the country.
In a statement, CHASS noted that despite efforts by the government to support the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, food supply shortages and rising costs have created significant difficulties in maintaining adequate nutrition for students.
“We appeal to parents and guardians to collaborate with school authorities by providing additional support in kind or cash to mitigate the feeding challenges facing our schools,” the statement said.
Key Issues Highlighted by CHASS
- Inconsistent Food Supplies: CHASS pointed to delays in government food supplies, leaving schools struggling to meet students’ nutritional needs.
- Rising Costs: Increasing food prices have strained school feeding budgets, further complicating the management of already limited resources.
- Quality of Meals: The body expressed concern over the impact of these challenges on the quality and quantity of meals provided to students.
Call for Stakeholder Support
CHASS urged all stakeholders, including: 
- Parents and Guardians: To voluntarily provide foodstuffs or financial assistance where possible.
- Government: To address the bottlenecks in food supply chains and review the funding model for school feeding under the FSHS policy.
- Civil Society and NGOs: To explore opportunities for partnerships to supplement feeding efforts in schools.
Response from Parents and Advocacy Groups
While some parents have expressed a willingness to support schools temporarily, others have called on the government to urgently resolve the challenges as a sustainable solution. Advocacy groups have also weighed in, urging greater transparency in how school feeding funds are allocated and used.
Way Forward
CHASS reiterated that collaborative efforts are critical in ensuring the continued success of the FSHS program. However, it stressed that the government must take decisive steps to improve funding and logistical arrangements to prevent a recurrence of the current situation.
This appeal highlights the ongoing need for stakeholders to work together to maintain quality education and well-being for Ghanaian students.
